Created on Purpose For a Very Special Purpose

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.”

1 Corinthians 12:4-6

After having four children, Ryan and Lindsey adopted four more – all with disabilities – and their entire family came to our Mississippi Family Retreat! Their experience was nothing less than life-changing!

Lindsey shares that at first, she had doubts about Family Retreat.

“Camp sounded like it had potential to be fun but also very hard. Why would we choose to spend a week away as a family of ten with four special needs children in a place where we knew no one and strangers would be helping care for our children? As a protective mother, I couldn’t imagine other people caring for my nonverbal children.”

Lindsey

Having two children with cerebral palsy and two with Down syndrome, Lindsey’s concerns seemed understandable. But she and Ryan soon learned that they never had anything to fear. Family Retreat quickly became a safe place for each one of their children to shine.

“I watched my older children grow as they served as volunteer buddies to other children with disabilities. And I witnessed my four special needs children ministering to people simply with their presence – by reflecting God their Creator!

Family Retreat was a glorious place where my special needs children were also ministering to others. Through hugs, smiles and time spent with other families, my children were encouraging people in the Lord! What a beautiful thing to behold!”

Lindsey

Because at Family Retreat, we understand that everyone is created in the image of God, and everyone has spiritual gifts to share with the body of Christ!

God built up this remarkable family’s desire to serve through Family Retreat. So much so that Ryan and Lindsey decided to take all eight of their children on a mission trip to Guatemala where they visited impoverished families impacted by disability and also worked on construction projects, facilitated children’s programs, and led women’s meetings. Jesus used every member of their family to share the Gospel and teach the biblical truth that we are all God’s image bearers.

“Never in a million years did I ever think we would take our family of ten on a mission trip to an impoverished place in the middle of a pandemic.”

Lindsey

But Family Retreat gave them the confidence and courage to share their love for Jesus with even more families in need.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10

Through Family Retreat, Jesus showed Ryan and Lindsey’s family that we are all God’s masterpiece, created on purpose for the wonderful purpose of sharing the Gospel with others!

Families struggling with disability in your area need to know that they, too, have been created by our loving God on purpose for the very special purpose of bringing him glory. And at Family Retreat, they embrace that truth!